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(No Model.)

C. H. CLARK.

V TOBACCO MOISTENING DEVICE. No. 314,223. Patented Mar. 24, 1885.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. CLARK, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO SILAS A. SERVIS, OF SAME PLACE.

TOBACCO-MOISTENING DEVlCE.

RSPBCIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 314,223, dated March 24-, 1885.

Application filed August 13, 1883. (No model.)

To (ZZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES H. CLARK, of Rochester, New York, have invented certain Improvements in Tobacco Moisteners, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to certain improvements in tobacco-moisteners or devices by which cut chewing-tobacco may be kept moist and in suitable condition for use in the pails or tubs in which it is ordinarily packed,which improvements are fully described in the accompanying specification and drawings, and the novel features thereof specified in the claims annexed to the said specification.

In the accompanying drawings, representing my improved tobacco-moistener, Figure 1 is a vertical section through a filled tobaccotub, showing my improved moistener inplace therein. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of my improved tobacco-moistener. Fig. 3 is a side elevation representing a modification.

My improvements in tobacco-moisten ers are represented in the accompanying drawings, in which A is the base or tight portion, inclosing a suitable absorbent material, 0; B, the upper perforated part; D, the top or cover; E, the tobacco, (in the tub or pail F, provided with lid G,) in which the moistener is embedded.

H is a spring-hook, by means of which the absorbent substance is introduced into or removed from the base of the moistener.

My improved tobacco-moistener consists of a suitable case of any suitable form or section, having at its lower end, when embedded in the tobacco, a tight part or base, A, which incloses the absorbent substance 0, and prevents any excess of moisture therein from obtaining access to the tobacco, and a perforated, top or upper portion, B, through which the moisture from the absorbent O can pass away and permeate the tobacco in the pail.

My improved tobacco-moistener may also be provided with a cap or cover, I), which may be either tight or perforated, and which prevents the tobacco in which themoistener is embedded from falling into the interior of the case.

Any suitable absorbent material may be employed within the base A to furnish the moisture requisite to preserve the tobacco in proper condition. In the drawings I have represented a sponge, C, Fig. 1, as inserted in the case at its bottom, and provided with a springwire hook, H, by which it may be removed when it is desired to increase the supply of moisture to the tobacco. Any suitable form of hook may, however, be used for this purpose.

The upper portion of the case may be of perforated sheet metal, as represented in Fig.

l, or of wire-cloth, as in Figs. 2 and 3, or otherwise constructed with fine openings, so as to permit the evaporation of the moisture,while preventing the intrusion of the tobacco into the case.

. In Fig. 3 I have represented my device in a modified form. The cup or receptacle A, provided with a handle, J, and adapted to contain the sponge or other saturated material and to prevent the direct escape of water therefrom, is removably seated in a cylindrical case, 13, made of perforated metal. The case has a bottom, which may be perforated 7 5 or not, to retain the cup A therein. The top of the case B is provided with a removable cap, D, which serves as a means of preventing tobacco or other matters from falling into the device.

It is to be noted that by means of my device inserted into a mass of tobacco contained within a pail or other receptacle I am enabled to retain therein a large supply of moisture without danger of its coming in contact with the tobacco in fluid form, while at the same time it is permitted in the form of vapor to permeate the entire mass.

It will be observed that my device is seated wholly within the pail or receptacle, and sus- 9 tained in position by the surrounding body of tobacco. Being confined or concealed within the receptacle the latter may be handled and shipped without the possibility of an escape of the moisture. In this regard the device differs essentially from those which are sealed permanently in the lid of the pail with a cup or cover opening through the exterior of the same.

I claim- 3. In combination with a tight receptacle containing a body of tobacco, a case the upper 15 portion of which is perforated, as described, and which is seated bodily within the reoepta cle, and a body of absorbent material charged with moisture and confined within the case, whereby the moisture is caused to permeate the mass of tobacco in the form of Vapor, but prevented from contact therewith in a liquid form.

CHAS. H. CLARK.

\Vitnesses:

H. H. I-IEBBARD, GEO. B. SELDEN. 

